Help setting up a home web server - Windows Server 2012 R2

[Arsinek]

So I decided to put my old PC back to work as a web server, or at least try. I am currently in a job where Im switching a company from some weird CMS to WordPress. I do not know any of the backend, another guy will be handling that. He and I have been collaborating to get this done. But I want to learn the backend for myself and to help the team.

Im wanting to simulate the sandbox development server we have at work. It runs Windows Server, 2012 I think, IIS and now PHP for WordPress.

I just installed Windows Server 2012 R2 at home and dont know the next step. Does anyone know any resources I could use on setting up a web server on Windows Server 2012 R2?

I havent configured anything yet but Im guessing there is configuring that needs to be done.


**UPDATE**

1. Found this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP6O-p3SGu4

Pretty good walk through of setting up IIS to host websites... I think. Havent watched the whole thing yet. In the video he's using Windows Server 2008 though. =/ Dont know how much that matters.

 

[sdifox]

http://www.iis.net/learn/install/installing-iis-85/installing-iis-85-on-windows-server-2012-r2

 

[QuietDad]

You might want to look into something like Wampserver (https://sourceforge.net/projects/wampserver/). This is a single install of everything you need to run an Apache webserver including Apache, mySQL and PHP. It allows you to easily define Virtual Hosts and make them local only or open them to the web.
Personally, I find Apache better than IIS, but your results may vary.

 

[Arsinek]

You might want to look into something like Wampserver (https://sourceforge.net/projects/wampserver/). This is a single install of everything you need to run an Apache webserver including Apache, mySQL and PHP. It allows you to easily define Virtual Hosts and make them local only or open them to the web.
Personally, I find Apache better than IIS, but your results may vary.

Well Im going with Windows Server and IIS because thats what my work uses.

 

[Arsinek]

http://www.iis.net/learn/install/installing-iis-85/installing-iis-85-on-windows-server-2012-r2

Thanks!

That's a pretty good resource.


So far I havent found anything that is geared towards someone who knows nothing about this stuff and walks them through setting up a webserver using Windows Server and IIS step by step.

 

[drebo]

I'm not sure how you can "know nothing about this stuff" but be tasked with a project such as "migrate from some weird CMS to Wordpress".

 

[Arsinek]

I'm not sure how you can "know nothing about this stuff" but be tasked with a project such as "migrate from some weird CMS to Wordpress".

Well I already said there is someone else working on this with me who is handling the backend.

Ah, now I see, a case of not reading the whole thread.

 

[freeskier93]

IIS is pretty straightforward to be honest. I'm assuming you're keeping this local, I would be careful about getting bogged down in some of the finer details required for an internet facing server.

I haven't worked with IIS on a server version of Windows, but it should be about the same. It's really as simple as firing up the IIS control panel and adding a new website. You'll need to install PHP and MySQL, after that download Wordpress, extract it to the physical path of the website (as chosen when creating the website in IIS control panel). Navigate to localhost in your browser then follow setup for Wordpress.

The hardest thing I remember is getting PHP installed right. You have to make sure you get the right one for IIS then when installing make sure it's set up to use FastCGI.

MySQL has an easy installer and during the installation process you can choose to install Workbench so you have a GUI to work with.

EDIT: For the video you posted everything up to about 10:32 is good, after that it's pretty unnecessary for what you want.

 

[Arsinek]

IIS is pretty straightforward to be honest. I'm assuming you're keeping this local, I would be careful about getting bogged down in some of the finer details required for an internet facing server.

I haven't worked with IIS on a server version of Windows, but it should be about the same. It's really as simple as firing up the IIS control panel and adding a new website. You'll need to install PHP and MySQL, after that download Wordpress, extract it to the physical path of the website (as chosen when creating the website in IIS control panel). Navigate to localhost in your browser then follow setup for Wordpress.

The hardest thing I remember is getting PHP installed right. You have to make sure you get the right one for IIS then when installing make sure it's set up to use FastCGI.

MySQL has an easy installer and during the installation process you can choose to install Workbench so you have a GUI to work with.

EDIT: For the video you posted everything up to about 10:32 is good, after that it's pretty unnecessary for what you want.

Actually I would like to get to the point of being able to have it on the web. Im sure there is a lot I need to learn.

Im getting the feeling there is more learning material out there for linux and apache geared towards noobs.

It seems all the microsoft resources are from the point of view of someone who is a student or looking to take a MS cert exam.